Assignment 1.1: Conflicting Viewpoints Essay – Part I

When looking for information about a particular issue, how often do you try to resist biases toward your own point of view? This assignment asks you to engage in this aspect of critical thinking by playing the “Believing Game.” The Believing Game is about making the effort to “believe” – or at least consider – the reasons for an opposing view on an issue. 

To complete this assignment, you will write a three to four (3-4) page paper in which and you will first read a book excerpt about critical thinking processes: “The Believing Game and How to Make Conflicting Opinions More Fruitful” by clicking HERE (http://www.procon.org/sourcefiles/believinggame.pdf). Next, you will review the Procon.org Website in order to gather information. Then, you will engage in prewriting to examine your thoughts.

Here are the instructions for this assignment.

Select one (1) of the approved topics from the www.procon.org Website and state your position on the issue.

From the Procon.org Website, identify three (3) premises (reasons) listed under either the Pro or Con section – whichever section opposes your position.

For each of the three (3) premises (reasons) that oppose your position on the issue, answer these “believing” questions suggested by Elbow: What’s interesting or helpful about this view? What would I notice if I believed this view? In what sense or under what conditions might this idea be true?”

The paper should follow these guidelines for clear and organized writing:

Include an introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph.

Address main ideas in body paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting sentences.

Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA Style format.

Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date.

Assignment 1.2: Conflicting Viewpoints Essay – Part II 

When looking for information about a particular issue, how often do you try to resist biases toward your own point of view? This assignment asks you to engage in this aspect of critical thinking.

To complete this assignment, you will write a three to four (3-4) page paper in which you:

State your position on the topic you selected for Assignment 1.1., which you submitted in Week 2.

Identify (3) three premises (reasons) from the Procon.org website that support your position and explain why you selected these specific reasons.

Explain your answers to the “believing” questions about the three (3) premises opposing your position from the Procon.org website.

Examine at least two (2) types of biases that you likely experienced as you 

evaluated the premises for and against your position.

Discuss the effects of your own enculturation (meaning your own upbringing and experiences) or group identification that may have influenced your biases.

Discuss whether or not your thinking about the topic has changed after playing the “Believing Game,” even if your position on the issue has stayed the same.

The paper should follow these guidelines for clear and organized writing:

Include an introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph.

Address main ideas in body paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting sentences.

Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA Style format.

Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date.